Reincarnated into a New World As a Vampire

Chapter 37: An Opportunity

Now that he was in the capital, Aldritch realized just how difficult it would be to have Lina and Olgud operate around, they'd stand out too much, especially because they aren't trained in covert arts or any such thing. Then again, the solution was simple to this problem, he just needed to get humans under his command.

'Since I can just turn them, why settle for less. But then… how many vampires can I have under me, and which noble house will be most suitable…' He thought about it briefly before deciding it would be best to start small after all.

There was no say about the number of underlings he could have under him, but just to be on the safer side, Aldritch operated with the thought that it wouldn't be so easy, he'd probably have to advance in rank first, maybe?

"For now, I need information the most, anyone in a good position will be enough for that." He said to himself. For that, he wouldn't even need to turn them, his skills were good enough to complete the job.

With that plan in mind, Aldritch set out around evening to do some gathering of information. He couldn't send out the others since they possessed "peculiar features" around the parts.

'I may need to get someone after all.'

Aldritch asked around for the market area until he got there. It was the best place to gather information, at least for now. In such places, everyone seemed to know a piece of information about everything.

He still covered his face partially, but not so much in a way that it would be suspicious this time around.

He soon came across a lady selling perfumes inside a small well maintained wooden shop. He could perceive many fragrant aromas and scents, certainly pleasing, but of course, he wasn't here for that.

"Oh sir, come this way, I have just what you need, the best quality fragrances that will make any woman chase you in a second!" She said once she noticed Aldritch showing interest. She sure was a business person, no doubt, and an aggressive one at that.

She came forward and dragged Aldritch into the shop quite skillfully and started using different tactics to persuade him into spending all his pocket on irrelevant items, her ways were quite effective indeed.

'Using your body to fool men and tricking them psychologically into purchasing your goods; a fox, this one.' He said in his mind as the lady spoke.

Aldritch didn't stress, and once she looked him in the eyes again, he had her under control and she quieted as she listened attentively.

"In a brief manner, tell me everything about this place, the capital." He ordered.

The lady paused for a moment, not saying a word or averting her eyes for about ten seconds, then she started talking.

Another thirty minutes went by and she was still talking, explaining things to Aldritch who had grown disinterested in most of what she had to say.

'Just how much can a commoner like her know? Doesn't it finish?' Aldritch realized he had made a mistake by not specifying what information he wanted. Then again, this lady seemed to be rather knowledgeable, perhaps, too knowledgeable for who she seems to be. This particular part piqued Aldritch's interest.

"…and so, that results in a… in, in a… hey… what's?- what's going on here? Huh? Who are you?"

'She resisted the mind control? Is she not ordinary after all?'

"My mouth-so dry…" She immediately turned towards a flask and poured water into a mug and proceeded to chug it all down. She did so several times.

"hey, who are-" before she could finish, Aldritch cut her off. She made the mistake of looking at him in the eyes again, of course, there was no way she would have known.

"You seem very knowledgeable about different things, who are you exactly?" He questioned.

"My name is Ingrid Fenwick, from the humble Fenwick family that resides in the country sides. I'm a just a commoner who is lucky enough to attend the newly formed magic academy in the capital."

"That's all? You're not some runaway princess or someone with some kind of special identity?"

"No, I'm just a commoner." She answered again. There was no way she was lying, which made Aldritch even more interested in her.

"How do you know all these things, a commoner shouldn't know so much, or at least, be interested in knowing so much. More importantly, why?" Aldritch asked, listening to her answer.

"As a student of the magic academy, I have access to facilities like the national library, so I am able to read up on different things while the rest I analyse, myself, from observing different events. As for why I'm so invested in knowing all this, it's to get revenge and serve justice." She said.

Even though her tone remained neutral for the most of it, Aldritch could feel the denseness from the last part of the sentence.

"Hmm… what exactly happened? Why do you want to get revenge, and on whom?"

"The reason is to avenge my family who were all slaughtered during a monster attack. The object of my vengeance includes everyone that was involved in making the decision not to send soldiers to the far places of the kingdom." She answered, going straight to the point.

'That's a lot of people.' If nothing else, Aldritch could see just how patient this lady was.

"Enrolling in the magic academy and all that is just a front then? More like a means to an end, perhaps."

Aldritch looked her in the eyes briefly, then undid his mind control so she came back to her senses. She immediately stormed him with questions, not really aware of all that had happened. She seemed to be sure that Aldritch had done something to her, and enquired several times if he was a mage.

"Quiet down and listen, I will only say this once." Aldritch said, bringing her to silence. She listened attentively to what he had to say and waited for him to speak. The fact that she hadn't panicked and ran away was also commendable, perhaps, there was something else she sought.

"I can give you power, power that can aid you into doing whatever it is you want to do, but on the condition that I have your loyalty and you take up my cause." Aldritch said in a calm tone, carrying intent.

Without thinking it through, Ingrid agreed. Aldritch was taken aback a bit, it was after all unexpected. He was left to wonder just how desperate she was or if she was expecting something like this to happen and had prepared herself for it.

"I like your decisiveness, people won't normally make such a decision so fast."